Nursing Students’ Knowledge of cancer screening programs in Slovakia
Authors:
M. Čakloš; S. Selecká
Authors‘ workplace:
Fakulta ošetrovateľstva a zdravotníckych odborných štúdií Dekanka: prof. PhDr. Zuzana Slezáková, PhD., MPH
; Katedra ošetrovateľstva Vedúca: prof. PhDr. Zuzana Slezáková, PhD., MPH
; Slovenská zdravotnícka univerzita v Bratislave, Slovenská republika Rektor: Dr. h. c. prof. MUDr. Peter Šimko, CSc.
Published in:
Prakt. Lék. 2025; 105(1): 17-21
Category:
Of different specialties
Overview
Introduction: Cancer screenings are essential for the early detection of cancer and increasing the chances of successful treatment. Nurses play a crucial role in educating patients and the public about cancer prevention.
Aim: The aim of the survey was to assess nursing students’ knowledge of cancer screening programs in Slovakia.
Methodology: The survey was conducted at the Faculty of Nursing and Professional Health Studies of the Slovak Medical University in Bratislava from November 2023 to February 2024. The survey sample included full-time bachelor’s nursing students who completed a questionnaire focused on cancer screening programs in Slovakia. The questionnaire consisted of 4 sociodemographic, 14 knowledgebased, and 2 personal questions. Knowledge-based questions were evaluated, for which students could earn a maximum of 14 points. The student received 1 point for each correct answer, and for an incorrect answer or no answer, they received 0 points. Participation in the survey was voluntary, anonymous, and required the student’s consent. The results were evaluated in absolute and relative numbers.
Results: A total of 129 students (100%) participated in the survey, including 124 women (96.12%) and 5 men (3.88%). The largest group consisted of first-year students, with 58 participants (44.97%). The average number of points obtained was 9.7 out of a maximum of 14 (min:. 2, max. 14, SD: 3.4), representing a 69.73% success rate in knowledge-based questions. The highest success rate was achieved by third-year students (74%). The best results were obtained in questions related to cervical cancer (61–85% correct answers), while the lowest results were observed in questions about breast cancer (24–65% correct answers). As many as 97.67% of students expressed interest in learning more about cancer prevention, while 62.79% believed they would not be able to educate a patient about cancer prevention.
Conclusion: Given the increasing incidence of cancer diseases, it is crucial to focus on educating nursing students in cancer prevention to prepare them for providing educational interventions and enhancing the health literacy of patients and the general public.
Keywords:
screening – cancer – Knowledge – nursing students’
Sources
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adresa pre korešpondenciu:
Mgr. Miloš Čakloš, PhD., MPH
Slovenská zdravotnícka univerzita v Bratislave
Fakulta ošetrovateľstva a zdravotníckych odborných štúdií,
Katedra ošetrovateľstva
Limbová 12, 831 01 Bratislava, SR
e-mail: milos.caklos@szu.sk
Labels
General practitioner for children and adolescents General practitioner for adultsArticle was published in
General Practitioner
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